Sist-ah!


Rita asked about the word element –sist–. It appears in a number of words that alter the basic meaning by adding different prefixes. The core comes from the Latin sistere, to cause to stand.

Let’s list some of the words that rely on this root, giving a rough and ready definition that shows how the stand meaning runs through all of them.

·      assist:  to stand by

·      consist:  to stand altogether

·      desist:  to stand down

·      insist:  to stand upon

·      persist:  to stand until completion

·      resist= to stand in place

·      subsist:  to stand firm


Listen to Mike’s program in real time every Tuesday morning, 9:10 - 10:00 a.m. EST, by going to wtcmradio.com and clicking on Listen Now. You’ll also find about a month’s worth of podcasts there under The Ron Jolly Show.



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